AUBURN, Alabama -- Tre Mason returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the season-opener, later got hurt and then fumbled a time or two. Fellow running back Onterio McCalebb, as always, was ready to step in against Alabama. McCalebb's 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was one of the highlights in the 42-14 loss.

"We knew Onterio had the potential," said Auburn coach Gene Chizik. "He works it in practice. He loves doing it. He likes being the kickoff return guy.

"In the middle of the game, several times he's asked to go in there and get a shot at it. "

Check out McCalebb's special teams play in the videos above. The first one is his kickoff return for a touchdown and the second one is him making an outstanding play to down a punt.

Chizik noticed.

"I'm very appreciative of guys who are willing to do the dirty work -- cover punts, knock punts back, change the game because of field position, be a kickoff return guy. He's covered every punt this season -- and we've punted a good bit. Never asked to get off it. Wants to be on it. We've got a lot of guys like that. We need that idea to catch on with everybody on our team. For our young guys to see that is invaluable."

**Auburn doesn't know which bowl game it is going to, but Chizik knows what he'll do once the Tigers return to practice.

He'll get his young team more work.

"It'll almost be like spring practice with a game at the end. That extra practice time will be invaluable," he said.

But he's ordered his team away from the field for at least the next two weeks so they can prepare for final exams.

"Obviously, we'll stay in shape weight room-wise and conditioning.

"But we're going to prepare academically this whole week and the following week," he said.

**Chizik is hoping true freshman linebacker Kris Frost will be able to participate in bowl preparations. Penciled in to be a contender for playing time, Frost underwent shoulder surgery before the season and hasn't played. He won't play in the bowl game, either, but Chizik hopes the coaches will get a look-see.

"He's trying to work himself into that. He's made a lot of strides here in the last three weeks," Chizik said.

Chizik said Frost can play any of three linebacker positions.

"We know he's a great athlete," Chizik said.

Chizik also said he's hoping some other injured players will get bowl work.

"That's the goal for a lot of those guys that weren't able to play this year and are going to be in that situation."

**Chizik said offensive lineman Shon Coleman, who has battled cancer, will not practice.

"I think he's doing, medically, really well. It sounds like he's really doing well in terms of treatment," Chizik said. "It's been very encouraging. But as far as what that means for him playing, ever playing, when he may be able to play, there's not really anything out there on that yet."

**Auburn's passing game suffered after top receiver Emory Blake missed time in the middle season with an ankle sprain. He didn't catch a pass against Alabama, either.

"He's still not 100 percent. That's not an excuse that's just the way it is," Chizik said.

**Auburn coaches spent much of Sunday entertaining recruits.

The Tigers had 10 official visitors over the weekend, and many more recruits who dropped in for the game.

"Although the result of the game was not favorable, I think the atmosphere -- the game day experience, the way our fans showed up and were into it the whole game -- was incredible," Chizik said. "That was pretty much the consensus of every recruit who was here. It was a huge success."